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​Style vs. practicality – how to make the right decisions for your new kitchenIt’s the start of a brand new year and the perfect time to embark on that home design project you’ve been dreaming of for months. If you’re planning a new kitchen, prepare yourself for a host of difficult decisions. It will inevitably involve compromise, unless budget is no issue and you have a huge space to play with.One of the most important balancing acts you’ll have to manage is style versus practicality. An element may look incredible and you may want it really badly, but is it the right choice from a practical and functional point of view? Here are just a few of these situations and how to navigate them…

Worktops Have your heart set on a real wood worktop, or perhaps a stainless steel one? Before you take the plunge, consider how you use your kitchen at the moment. Do you tend to shun chopping boards and worktop savers, meaning you could end up damaging a real wood worktop in a matter of months? Can you be bothered regularly cleaning and polishing a stainless steel worktop, especially when fingerprints and streaks keep mysteriously appearing? You may be better considering a more practical option such as laminate or granite if you have more to spend.

Pantry cupboardsPantry cupboards and pull-out pantry shelves may have taken your fancy in a kitchen design magazine, but you need to remember that they do take up a lot of space. If space is limited in your kitchen, would it be more practical to fit cupboards and drawers instead? You could end up with the same amount of storage space, but more worktop.

Oversized appliancesOver the last few years, there has been a trend for huge American-style double fridge freezers and double-oven, many-hob range cookers. If you have the space for these large appliances and the money to spend, go for it. If not, do you really need such large appliances? Will you even use them, or could the space be better utilised for storage or another purpose?

Island unitsMany people’s idea of a dream kitchen includes a massive kitchen island, around which family and friends can congregate. If you have the space, this can work really well – making the kitchen a social and family space for cooking, entertaining and hanging out. However, you should never try to squeeze an island in if you don’t have the space. It’ll be a nightmare trying to open doors and drawers, when multiple people try to use the space and it’ll look dreadful. Opt for a movable and compact butcher’s block instead.

Breakfast barBreakfast bars aren’t as fashionable as they used to be, but many people still have them on their kitchen wishlist. An important point to consider is whether you’ll actually use it, especially if you have a dining table in the same space. Could the space be better used for storage or worktop space?​If you’ve finalised your kitchen plan, now’s the time to line up an exceptional quality kitchen fitter ready to do the work. Get in touch with A&J Kitchens, an experienced team who can also offer advice on layout, fitting and other essential design issues.

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